It’s been a big task, and a fun one, to distil so many excellent examples of Lib Dem blogging and e-campaigning into lists of the five best.

Congratulations if you’ve been shortlisted, but if you haven’t: remember that the shortlists are based on the judges’ subjective opinions. The awards are intended to be a fun way to celebrate the talent in the Lib Dem blogosphere, whilst introducing you to some blogs you might not have read before.

First, a reminder that the winner of the Best non-Liberal Democrat politics blog category will be decided by a public vote here on Liberal Democrat Voice, so please have a read of the nominated blogs and then head on over to the sidebar to cast your vote.

Next, a plug for the awards ceremony itself. If you’re coming to party conference in Birmingham, do come along to the Andante Suite, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Birmingham, from 9.45pm on Saturday 17th September.

Those are the shortlists – find out the winners on Saturday. In the meantime, vote now for the best non-Liberal Democrat politics blog: the poll’s in the sidebar to the right of this post.

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Best new Liberal Democrat Blog Best blog from a Liberal Democrat holding public office Best use of blogging/social networking/e-campaigning by a Liberal Democrat Best posting on a Liberal Democrat blog Best non-Liberal Democrat politics blog Liberal Democrat Blog of the Year 2011

So, for me, it’s Potter Blogger or Yellow Bastard, Lady Mark, Julian Huppert, the Ken Clarke post, Political Betting, and Caron. And if Caron doesn’t win the Botty there’s no justice. She’s been consitently, doggedly, brilliant all year. And she can spell and her sentences make sense, which I know most people don’t view as important, but…

Andrew Emmerson because he’s usually right
Daisy Benson because she’s consistently interesting
Vote Clegg, Get Clegg because it’s varied and provokes debate
Lib Dem Leadership Don’t Get it by Jennie Rigg as it’s passionate and well written
Political Betting because of huge levels of engagement from across the spectrum.
Neil Monnery because I regularly read it and it’s very “sticky” – I keep coming back to it

I am quite sad that there’s no mention of Andrew on the shortlists. I nominated several of his posts and also for the Blog of the Year. I hope that this means that there will be a special tribute to him tomorrow night. I think that, given his love of Twitter, it might be a good idea to rename the social media award The Andrew Reeves award.

Mr Potter and Mr Emmerson have magnificent blogs which I have discovered recently but I say ‘A view from Ham Common’ and Richard Morris for best newcomer. I think it is a masterclass in blogging – how to use this particular medium, witty, informed and informative, erudite and extremely well written – but most of all about the best use of article titles I have seen!

And a word for Lisa Harding and LibDems pointing at things – genius!

Solution Focused Politics is a very interesting and origianl blog I discovered only very recently for BOTY…

But I’m supporting Caron for BOTY. Consistent blogging to a high standard – top quality articles on policy areas – succinct and quality advocacy for the LibDem case. Plenty of heart and soul and interesting stories and the odd bit of good old fashioned opinionated ranting. Her ouput is prolific but most of all it has been a really tough year being a Scot LibDem and she is holding a lot of things up almost single handedly and has respect all over the Scottish blogosphere and from professional commentators.

So pleased to see that Solution Focused Politics made it to the short list for Blog of the Year. It is so refreshing to hear positive voices in politics. Matthew Gibson’s blog is always thought provoking and original.

This is good fun. Please take this positively, but one or two of these blogs could usefully be proof-read -as an example, the aberrant apostrophe crops up too often, and distinguishing the genitive from the plural IS important!

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